Tura, May 21, 2026: With Meghalaya continuing to witness a growing young population entering the workforce every year, the Government of Meghalaya today carried forward its vision of building a future-ready and skills-driven economy through the organization of ‘Skillerate 2026’ at Holly Hocks, Tura.

The event, organized by the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), Department of Labour, Employment & Skill Development marks another important step in the government’s efforts to strengthen livelihood opportunities, entrepreneurship, and employment-linked skilling for the youth of Meghalaya.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister stated,

“As a Government, we cannot do everything alone, we need everyone to work together. Economic growth has meaning only when benefits reach the people especially those in the rural areas, a shared economic growth, so more individuals can become economically independent.” He encouraged citizens to actively participate in the CM CONNECT programs, as they enable the Government to understand the issues at the grassroots level.

Chief Minister also urged the beneficiaries to provide feedback to improve the different programmes that are being initiated.
He informed that there are over 136 training partners currently on board, with around 1.58 lakh enrolments recorded under various skill training programmes and spoke of two new colleges in the pipeline the College of Agriculture, Horticulture and Food Processing in East Garo Hills and the Veterinary College in Ri-Bhoi.
A major focus of this year’s program is post-training support under which nearly 21,000 trainees receive startup toolkits worth approximately ₹24 crore, with each toolkit valued at around ₹9,000.

The event at Tura today also witnessed the distribution of 34 work orders under Skills Meghalaya and Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya worth over ₹16.59 crore, along with the distribution of 819 startup toolkits to beneficiaries under the PROPEL (Post-training Resources for Occupational Progress and Enhanced Livelihood) scheme.
A beneficiary, Kester M. Sangma from Dimili shared that after completing a beauty and hairdressing training under the Meghalaya Skills Development Society in 2024, he gained work experience at M Pulse Thailand Beauty Salon, Ringrey, before opening his own men’s salon in his local bazaar and another outlet in Danakgre. He thanked the Meghalaya Skills Development Society and Conrad K Sangma, for the opportunity, adding that such schemes help create better livelihoods and skill development opportunities for youths.

Jesilia A. Sangma, a training provider from Boldamgre village, shared how MSSDS-supported skill development initiatives helped her grow from running a small food processing business into a trainer and mentor for her community. In 2024, she organized training programmes for around 30 individuals in Boldamgre village and, between 2024–25, trained nearly 265 people in food processing and entrepreneurship through the support of MSSDS. She expressed gratitude to the Government of Meghalaya, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and MSSDS for creating opportunities that empower local entrepreneurs and promote self-employment.

The Tura edition of Skillerate 2026 comes after the successful Shillong edition, which was held on the 13th of May, during which the Government had launched four flagship schemes PROPEL, MEGASKILL, SHIELD, and EQUIP which have been designed to expand Meghalaya’s skilling ecosystems.

The initiatives amount to an investment of over ₹50 crore towards building stronger human capital in the State.
Over the years, skill development has become an important factor in Meghalaya’s growth story.

The Government, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, has consistently emphasized that the State’s young demographic is both an opportunity and a responsibility. With nearly half of the population in Meghalaya being below the age of 20, thousands of young people are joining the workforce every year, making it even more necessary for the Government to steadily widen its skilling and training set-ups so that the youth are enabled with the necessary skills and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Methodius Dkhar, Minister of Labour, Employment & Skills Development, stated, “I could proudly say that in the last 7-8 years, we have achieved something that we could not have imagined. I am seeing not trainees, but the future entrepreneurs, future changemakers of Meghalaya.” He urged the youth to take pride in any job that they are doing and to not be ashamed to do any job, no matter how small.

He also thanked, Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma, for being an inspiration to everyone and for being present to meet the citizens in each district, no matter how busy or tired he may be. Over the last five years, more than 50,000 youth have been trained across different sectors in Meghalaya, with nearly 30,000 receiving certifications that have enabled them to pursue both self-employment and formal jobs.

The Government spends nearly ₹40,000 per trainee, investing approximately ₹80 crores in the Skills Meghalaya programme over the last three years, with trainees having collectively generated ₹150 crore in income during the same period.